Flower-herbal teas are a useful support in the fight against obesity. It is not for nothing that great rulers used all kinds of plants in nutrition and body care. Today's supporters of proper nutrition drink hibiscus for weight loss and easy cleansing of the body.
If you brew hibiscus correctly and take the drink according to a special scheme, you can get rid of swelling, toxins and, as a result, extra centimeters on the waist and hips in a short time.
Modern use of an ancient drink
India is the birthplace of hibiscus. Hibiscus, rosella, Sudanese rose - these are other names this plant has. Tea has long been brewed from it in many countries, which is confirmed by archaeological excavations.
In the eighteenth century, the Sudanese rose was brought to Eastern Europe, where it became widespread for its ability to prepare a refreshing, healthy drink.
The plant has more than 100 species and is grown in Egypt, Mexico, Sri Lanka, India, China, and Thailand. In these countries, the processing, storage, and packaging of raw materials is industrialized.
A ruby-colored tea made from rosella petals, it has a sour flavor with a subtle hint of astringency. It gives vigor, increases tone, strengthens the body's defenses, and promotes weight loss.
An infusion of hibiscus petals was Cleopatra's favorite drink. The ancient queen knew how to use the gifts of nature to prolong the youth and beauty of the body.
Tea composition
Hibiscus has gained popularity among many flower tea lovers due to its content of useful substances:
- fruit acids;
- ascorbic, nicotinic acids, vitamin A, B;
- amino acids;
- microelements: magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, calcium.
The population of Arab countries holds this tea in special esteem. It is believed that it relieves many diseases.
Beneficial features
- Hibiscus eliminates bile stagnation, improves digestion, liver function, and relieves bloating due to colitis.
- Has a diuretic and antipyretic effect. It should be taken into account that when taken simultaneously with Paracetamol, its effectiveness is weakened.
- The vitamins contained in Sudanese rose strengthen blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity.
- Tea lowers blood pressure both hot and cold.
- It is an antioxidant, removes toxins, which helps with hangovers and increases resistance to infections.
- Due to its antibacterial effect, it treats purulent wounds. Facilitates the course of eczema and psoriasis.
- Normalizes sugar levels and has a beneficial effect on insulin production.
Benefits of hibiscus tea for weight loss
In order to understand why the drink attracts those losing weight, it is worth considering what valuable properties the drink provides for the whole body:
- For women, the drink helps with heavy periods, abdominal pain during them, to normalize the cycle if it is disrupted;
- It is recommended for men to increase sexual desire, as an aphrodisiac;
- Helps with high blood pressure. Of course, it will not immediately reduce blood pressure, but if you drink a couple of servings of tea a day regularly, you can reduce the average blood pressure by one to two dozen units, which is of great importance for hypertensive patients. There is an opinion that hot hibiscus tea increases blood pressure, while cold tea lowers it. Therefore, after using the first portion of the drink, you should monitor your well-being;
The wide range of beneficial properties of hibiscus tea is not accidental...
- Relieves cramps. Some people experience cramps, especially cramping in their arms or legs at night. In order to eliminate the problem, you will need to drink a couple of servings of the drink during the day or just before bed. Due to the content of certain vitamins and other components, the drink improves blood circulation, which prevents cramps from occurring;
- Lowers cholesterol levels. So, after taking the drink, it reduces it by 35%, which is not unimportant in this problem. Thus, it helps to thin the blood when it is too thick, and thereby eliminates sclerotic plaques. To improve the effect in this case, you will need to supplement the tea with honey, cinnamon and ginger;
- Relieves stomach problems, which manifest themselves as constipation. The drink also has a good effect on gastroenteritis and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- Protects and helps in the treatment of symptoms of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections. Reduces sore throat with sore throat and helps fight various infections. This property is possible due to the fact that hibiscus contains a lot of vitamin C;
- Improves digestion. If you often eat fatty foods, then you should give your preference to hibiscus tea. For these purposes, you need to drink the drink warm; a cold one will not give the desired effect;
- Helps with stomach cramps. For better effect, tea should be supplemented with anise;
- Relieves intoxication when drinking alcohol. To do this, you need to drink a cup of hibiscus while drinking alcohol and then it will be less absorbed into the body;
Hibiscus tea is an excellent antioxidant
- An excellent antioxidant that will help get rid of the harmful effects of radicals on the body, and also reduce the risk of cancer and increase life expectancy;
- Helps with swelling, as it has a diuretic effect. It is in connection with the property of removing water from the body that the drink is attributed to the benefits of hibiscus tea for weight loss;
- Used in cosmetology. Here it is not consumed internally, but rather applied, for example, to the hair. In this case, hibiscus saves from the early appearance of gray hair and strengthens their roots. By the way, hibiscus also perfectly fights dandruff. For the effect, you need to brew hibiscus at night, and use it in the morning as a rinse after washing your hair. Leave hair for 30 minutes and then rinse with water.
All these beneficial properties are possible thanks to the rich composition of hibiscus tea. It includes: riboflavin, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin A, thiamine and some other useful components.
Hibiscus tea: beneficial properties for weight loss
What are the benefits of red hibiscus tea for weight loss? In fact, this drink promotes weight loss due to the antioxidants included in the drink. Due to them, the body is cleansed of harmful toxic substances and toxins, which allows you to improve metabolism. If you drink 3 servings of the drink after eating, you can improve the breakdown of fats just eaten.
Hibiscus tea may exhibit weight loss properties due to the fact that it breaks down sugars and starch. This property prevents various carbohydrates from being quickly absorbed and thereby reduces the risk of obesity.
Due to the fact that hibiscus has a diuretic property - it removes excess fluid, thereby eliminating swelling that increases weight. This property also helps get rid of cellulite.
Hibiscus is able to relieve excessive hunger when you want to eat something. To be effective, you need to drink a portion of the drink instead of a snack.
Hibiscus helps smooth the skin and thereby avoid the appearance of cellulite.
Hibiscus tea may reduce appetite
It is important to note that there will be no effect in losing weight when drinking the drink if you continue to lie on the couch and eat fatty foods, chips, mayonnaise and other foods. Therefore, you should not pin your hopes only on the miraculous effect of the drink. You need to pull yourself together, stop eating unhealthy foods, start exercising physically, and drink hibiscus tea only as a stimulant that will improve the results of your efforts.
When not to drink hibiscus
Due to the content of fruit acids, tea is contraindicated in cases of high acidity. It is necessary to limit intake in case of gastritis and duodenal disease.
Hypotonic patients should drink the drink with caution - weakness and dizziness may occur.
Breastfeeding women and people with allergies are advised to refrain from consuming hibiscus so as not to provoke allergies.
In pregnant women, the plant can cause uterine contractions and bleeding, which can lead to dangerous complications for the fetus.
In order not to harm tooth enamel, after drinking tea, you need to rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the effect of fruit acids. When doing prosthetics or caries treatment, it is recommended to drink the drink through a cocktail straw to avoid staining fillings and crowns.
The effect of hibiscus on weight loss
The drink has long been considered a means of helping to lose extra pounds. By normalizing blood sugar levels, it reduces appetite and eliminates false feelings of hunger. And due to its diuretic effect, it removes excess fluid and reduces swelling.
Systematic intake of hibiscus tea when losing weight gives a mild laxative effect, improves metabolism, eliminates toxins and waste, which immediately affects the appearance and the scales.
Fans of “passive” weight loss should know that drinking tea alone will not lead to weight loss in a short time. 1-2 kg of accumulated fluid will go away, and the fat mass will remain in place. Sports and proper nutrition are a guarantee of success.
Features of reception for weight loss
To lose weight, follow simple rules for preparing and drinking the drink:
- It is recommended to take tea in a course of 3-4 weeks, then take a break for 14 days. You need to drink 3 times a day, half an hour before or after meals. This reduces appetite in the first case, while in the second case carbohydrates and fats are broken down.
- Taking it between meals is also possible, but doctors do not recommend drinking more than 1 liter per day due to the content of fruit acids. This can lead to irritation of the epigastrium, discomfort from the digestive organs in the form of heartburn, increased gas formation, and cramps.
- It is advisable to alternate hibiscus with green tea, which will quickly eliminate excess fat.
You cannot pour hot water or boil hibiscus petals, as vitamins and nutrients are destroyed at elevated temperatures. And the color of the drink will turn from bright red to an unattractive brown-gray.
How to drink hibiscus for weight loss benefits
When losing weight, you need to drink hibiscus tea at least half an hour before your main meal. It should be warm, about 38 degrees, i.e. close to body temperature. This way, absorption will happen as quickly as possible. The daily volume of hibiscus is 600-700 ml. It is best to divide this amount by three times.
You need to brew tea in the morning, having previously calculated the daily requirement. The brewing time for hibiscus is 5-7 minutes, after which it is better to strain the liquid so that the tea is not too concentrated. Store the prepared tea at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and you can warm it up a little before drinking.
Cooking tips
To enhance the weight loss effect, herbs, berries, fruits, and spices are added to hibiscus:
- Mint and lemon balm will add a subtle aroma to the tea and have a calming effect.
- Cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon will speed up metabolism.
- Milk will provide you with a creamy, delicate taste and add calories when following strict diets.
- Rosehip, lemon, citrus fruits will replenish the body with a dose of vitamins.
Medicinal herbs are prepared in the traditional way: brewed with boiling water, infused, and then mixed with pre-prepared hibiscus.
Honey will add additional aroma and taste to the tea, but you should add no more than 1 tsp. When losing weight, you need to completely give up sugar.
Consider the amount of spices, herbs, and milk based on your own taste and desire.
Traditional recipes
Buy Sudanese rose in specialized tea stores. Choose whole, uncrushed petals; they should have a rich red color. It is better to avoid bagged tea, as it may contain low-quality raw materials.
- The method for preparing tea is simple: 1 tsp. Leaves need to be poured with 500 ml of boiled water at a temperature of 60-80 degrees, let it brew for 1-2 hours.
- No less popular in preparation is an infusion of water at room temperature: 2 tbsp. l. raw materials should be poured into 1 liter of boiled cooled liquid and left for 5-8 hours. The drink is convenient to prepare at night; it turns out to be a rich, bright red color and retains all its healing qualities.
Add lemon and rose hips with caution, in small quantities, especially if the acidity of the stomach is increased.
Recommendations
To prepare hibiscus, use a porcelain, enamel or glass container. In metal containers, the beneficial components of the fortified drink are destroyed.
It is important to know that you should not drink tea on an empty stomach in the morning. The gastric mucosa becomes irritated, acidity increases, which can not only increase appetite, but also harm health.
Hibiscus before bed is also not recommended. The invigorating effect that the plant has will lead to excitability of the nervous system and insomnia.
The daily norm of Sudanese rose petals is no more than 2-2.5 tbsp. l. for 1 liter of water.
Experts' opinions
The main advantage of hibiscus is that it is a herbal remedy that accelerates metabolism, unlike the synthetic biological additives that fill drugstore shelves.
But nutritionists come to the only conclusion that losing weight with just one hibiscus drink is impossible. Body weight decreases only due to the diuretic, laxative effect, and normalization of cholesterol levels. Of course, the metabolic process accelerates, toxins and excess fluid are removed. However, this will not help get rid of fat mass.
You can lose weight by taking hibiscus while following a diet. These can be fasting days on vegetables, protein foods with the exception of sweets, fatty foods, and alcohol. The menu should include fish, a large number of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. And, of course, we must not forget about physical activity.
Hibiscus contains no calories. When taken in moderation, it has a healing effect on the body.
How much should I use?
Experts recommend drinking three glasses of hibiscus drink a day for rapid weight loss. However, before adding red tea to your diet, you should check your body's reaction to drinking the decoction. On the Internet you can find conflicting reviews regarding the digestibility of the active substances of the plant; in some people, regular use of hibiscus causes an exacerbation of diseases. To prevent the development of health problems, nutritionists advise taking breaks and alternating several types of tea, for example, green, black or fruit.
Reader reviews
I somehow decided to try to remove extra pounds with the help of hibiscus. I brewed tea as recommended and drank it for a month. I didn’t notice any special results right away because I didn’t stick to a strict diet. I decided to limit myself to sweets, flour, and fatty foods and continued to drink hibiscus. This helped me lose 2 kilograms. A little, but nice.
Marina, 42 years old
I work as a fitness instructor; I recommend that all my girls who come to me with the goal of losing weight drink hibiscus after training and during the day. I myself prepare an infusion with purified water all the time, just pour the petals in at night. Hibiscus acts on me as a mild laxative, and does not cause stomach pain at all. I recommend to all.
Olga, 33 years old
Previously I suffered from obesity. To lose weight, I discovered the Dukan diet, and I quickly lost weight on it. In order not to return to the previous level, I spend fasting days. I drink a lot of water, alternating hibiscus with green tea. I really like the taste of the ruby drink, as I call it, I add pieces of zest to it. Of course, hibiscus alone is not enough to lose weight, but with regular exercise and proper nutrition, you can maintain weight without gaining weight.
Angelina, 38 years old
When carrying out various diets, include Sudanese rose tea in your diet. It will add strength, speed up metabolism, and help you cope more easily with the stress of losing weight.
Contraindications
According to doctors, infusions of Sudanese rose are a safe method for losing weight. However, there are some cautions for those who consume hibiscus in large quantities for weight loss. The plant contains organic acids that can destroy tooth enamel. For this reason, you should rinse your mouth after each drink of hibiscus drink. The decoction is contraindicated for patients with chronic stomach diseases, ulcers or gastritis.
During therapy, tea will certainly irritate the mucous membrane, which can have a bad effect on people’s well-being. Even if the decoction normalizes digestion and restores microflora, some patients are better off choosing other methods for losing weight. Pregnant women are allowed to take no more than a glass of Sudanese rose drink per day.
